Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ 13 03
Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ 13 03
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2013 Conservation Innovation Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.912 Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 27, 2013 and posted on Feb 25, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 22, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $25,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 60 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Special district governments State governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Small businesses Individuals Private institutions of higher education County governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) City or township governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The 2013 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity is a nationwide competitive grant program run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Its main purpose is to encourage and speed up the development, testing, and real world adoption of new and innovative conservation approaches and technologies connected to agriculture and natural resource stewardship. The program is open across all 50 states and also covers the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). For fiscal year 2013, NRCS anticipated up to $25 million total available to support selected projects.
Projects are expected to run between one and three years, and the competition is structured as a two phase process. First, applicants submit a pre proposal. NRCS reviews those pre proposals for completeness and compliance with the rules in the notice, and any incomplete submissions are removed from consideration. Only applicants whose pre proposals are selected are invited into the second phase, where they submit a full proposal package for final competitive review and potential award. At the time of this announcement, NRCS was only soliciting pre proposals, with the full proposal step reserved for those who pass the initial screening and selection.
The funding instrument is a grant under the Agriculture activity category, and it is associated with CFDA 10.912 (Environmental Quality Incentives Program). The notice indicates an expected 60 awards. Individual awards could be as large as $1,000,000 (the stated award ceiling), with no stated minimum award amount (award floor listed as $0). The program includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants should expect to contribute non federal resources as part of the project budget, consistent with CIG rules.
Eligibility is broad and includes many kinds of applicants, such as individuals; small businesses and other for profit organizations; nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education); private and public institutions of higher education; and multiple levels of government including city or township governments, county governments, state governments, special district governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) as well as other Native American tribal organizations. This structure is designed to encourage participation from a wide range of groups that can pilot conservation innovations in different landscapes and production systems.
Key deadlines were clearly defined for both phases. Pre proposals had to be received by NRCS by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on March 22, 2013. NRCS planned to announce which pre proposals were selected by April 15, 2013. Applicants invited into phase two then had to submit their full proposal packages by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 13, 2013.
Applicants could submit materials by mail, courier, or electronically. Express mail or overnight courier submissions were directed to USDA NRCS, CIG Program, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 0103 S, Washington, DC 20250. Submissions through the U.S. Postal Service were directed to USDA NRCS, CIG Program, P.O. Box 2890, Room 0103 S, Washington, D.C. 20013-2890. Electronic submissions could be made through Grants.gov or by email to nrcscig@wdc.usda.gov. Program questions were directed to Gregorio Cruz, National CIG Program Manager, at (703) 235-8065 or gregorio.cruz@wdc.usda.gov. For technical difficulties accessing the full announcement, the notice referenced an administrative contact, Sheila Leonard, Grants and Agreements Specialist, at (202) 720-5436.
In short, this opportunity offered competitively awarded, cost shared grants for one to three year projects that demonstrate and promote innovative conservation solutions, with an initial pre proposal gate, potential awards up to $1 million, and a nationwide footprint that includes U.S. territories in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - 2013 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
What is the 2013 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity?
The 2013 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) opportunity is a nationwide competitive grant program run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is designed to encourage and speed up the development, testing, and real-world adoption of new and innovative conservation approaches and technologies related to agriculture and natural resource stewardship.
Which federal agency runs this grant program?
The program is run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
What is the main purpose of the CIG program?
The main purpose is to support projects that develop, test, and help move innovative conservation approaches and technologies into real-world use, especially those tied to agriculture and natural resource stewardship.
Is this a nationwide opportunity?
Yes. The opportunity is open across all 50 states.
Does the opportunity include U.S. territories or other areas outside the 50 states?
Yes. It also covers the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).
How much funding was expected to be available for FY 2013?
For fiscal year 2013, NRCS anticipated up to $25 million total available to support selected projects.
How many awards were expected?
The notice indicates an expected 60 awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
Individual awards could be as large as $1,000,000 (the stated award ceiling).
Is there a minimum award amount?
No minimum award amount is stated. The award floor is listed as $0.
How long are projects expected to run?
Projects are expected to run between one and three years.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant under the Agriculture activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 10.912 (Environmental Quality Incentives Program).
Does this program require cost sharing or matching funds?
Yes. The program includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants should expect to contribute non-federal resources as part of the project budget, consistent with CIG rules.
How does the application process work?
The competition is structured as a two-phase process. First, applicants submit a pre-proposal. Only applicants whose pre-proposals are selected are invited to submit a full proposal package in phase two for final competitive review and potential award.
At the time of the announcement, which phase was NRCS soliciting?
NRCS was only soliciting pre-proposals at the time of this announcement. The full proposal step was reserved for applicants who passed the initial screening and were invited into phase two.
What happens if a pre-proposal is incomplete?
NRCS reviews pre-proposals for completeness and compliance with the rules in the notice. Any incomplete submissions are removed from consideration.
Who can apply (eligibility)?
Eligibility is broad and includes individuals; small businesses and other for-profit organizations; nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education); private and public institutions of higher education; and multiple levels of government (city or township, county, state, special district governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities), as well as Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other Native American tribal organizations.
Are individuals eligible to apply?
Yes. Individuals are included in the eligibility list.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Small businesses and other for-profit organizations are included in the eligibility list.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Nonprofits are eligible, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).
Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?
Yes. Both private and public institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are government entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligibility includes city or township governments, county governments, state governments, special district governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), as well as other Native American tribal organizations.
What was the deadline for submitting a pre-proposal?
Pre-proposals had to be received by NRCS by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on March 22, 2013.
When did NRCS plan to announce which pre-proposals were selected?
NRCS planned to announce selections by April 15, 2013.
What was the deadline for submitting a full proposal package (phase two)?
Applicants invited into phase two had to submit their full proposal packages by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 13, 2013.
How could applicants submit their application materials?
Applicants could submit materials by mail, courier, or electronically.
What is the express mail or overnight courier address for submissions?
Express mail or overnight courier submissions were directed to: USDA NRCS, CIG Program, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 0103 S, Washington, DC 20250.
What address was listed for U.S. Postal Service submissions?
Submissions through the U.S. Postal Service were directed to: USDA NRCS, CIG Program, P.O. Box 2890, Room 0103 S, Washington, D.C. 20013-2890.
What electronic submission options were provided?
Electronic submissions could be made through Grants.gov or by email to nrcscig@wdc.usda.gov.
Who should applicants contact with program questions?
Program questions were directed to Gregorio Cruz, National CIG Program Manager, at (703) 235-8065 or gregorio.cruz@wdc.usda.gov.
Who should applicants contact for technical difficulties accessing the full announcement?
For technical difficulties accessing the full announcement, the notice referenced Sheila Leonard, Grants and Agreements Specialist, at (202) 720-5436.
What kinds of projects is this grant intended to support?
This grant is intended to support projects that demonstrate and promote innovative conservation solutions, with a focus on developing, testing, and encouraging adoption of new conservation approaches and technologies connected to agriculture and natural resource stewardship.
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. It is described as a nationwide competitive grant program, with pre-proposals screened and selected before invited applicants submit full proposals for final competitive review and potential award.
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| Texas Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS TX 13 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS TX 13 01 Agency: Texas State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) FY 2013 Virginia Apply for USDA NRCS VA 13 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS VA 13 01 Agency: Virginia State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel Enhanced Resilience (REGIS ER) Apply for RFA 685 13 000003 Funding Number: RFA 685 13 000003 Agency: Senegal USAID Dakar Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $72,000,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grants Fiscal Year 2013 Announcement for Federal Funding Apply for USDA NRCS SC 13 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS SC 13 01 Agency: South Carolina State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| African Institutions Innovation Mechanism (AIIM) Apply for APS 623 13 000006 Funding Number: APS 623 13 000006 Agency: East Africa USAID Kenya Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| CONSERVATION EASEMENT BOUNDARY SURVEY ASSISTANCE Apply for 68 6114 13 002 Funding Number: 68 6114 13 002 Agency: USDA NRCS Iowa State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
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| Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS KS 13 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS KS 13 01 Agency: Kansas State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $50,000 |
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